Toll metering system



July 23, 1946.

L. M. POTTS TOLL METERING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l I8HUNDREDS INVENTOR. Louls M. PoTTs ATTORNEY.

July 23, 1946. L M. POT-rs TOLL METERING SYSTEM Filed Feb. fr, 1942 3sheets-sheet 2 .my 23, 19460 L. M. POTTS 2,404,654

' TOLL METERING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 7, 1942 3 sheets-sheet s Irl/75 222INVENTOR LOUIS M. POTTS Patented July 23, 1946 TOLL METERING SYSTEMLouis M. Potts, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application February 7, 1942,Serial No. 429,874

(Cl. 17S-2) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a toll meter system for recording toll chargesin telephone or telegraph exchanges.

In telephone and telegraph practice, it is necessary to maintainaccurate records of the toll calls made by the individual subscribers.It is customary to charge an initial rate usually for a three-minuteperiod and then to charge an additional rate for each one minute periodafter the initial rate period has expired. The most commonmethodemployed for the recordation of toll call charges is to utilize anordinary time stamp andlmanually stamp an impression upon a ticket atthe commencement ofY a toll call and later to stamp a second impressionupon the ticket when the toll call has been completed. I

Any other necessaryiniormation, such as the identity of the subscriber,is usually written in byhand, by the long distance operator.

By the present invention, ar semi-automatic telegraph system is providedwhereby the cost of telegraph or telephone toll calls may beautomatically computed and printed in an accurate and eflicient manner.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a semi-automatictelegraph system for the automatic computation and recordation oftelephoneand telegraph toll calls.

A further object `,of the present invention is to provide a tollrecording system or telephone and "telegraph exchanges having aplurality of rate charge circuits and means to select particular ratecharge circuits-and automatically registerand compute the total cost ofindividual toll calls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tollrecordingsystem for telephone or telegraph exchanges whereby the costfor the initial rate period and a second rate period may beautomatically computed. l

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a mastertransmitter by means of which the charge for the initial rate period andthe overtime period may be automatically registered.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a plurality of sequenceswitches which may be connected in circuit with a distributor in orderto transmit telegraph signals to a printing tele-` graph apparatus.

Otherobjects and features of the inventionv will appear as the inventionis described in more detail in the specification.

In carrying out the present invention, -a master transmitter is employedfor the purpose of registering the rate for the initial and overtimeperiods of a toll call. `The master transmitter con- 2 sists of adistributor having nine segmented rings, and a tenth ring consisting ofa solid ring of conducting material. An additional impulsing segment isprovided upon one of the segmented rings of the distributor. 1

The operator at a particular station in the eX- change is provided witha plurality of pairs of keys representing different toll rates. One ofthe keys of each pair is operated upon the commencement of a toll calland the other `key is voperated upon the conclusion of the toll call.

The result accomplished by the operation of these keys will behereinafter described in more detail. t

Three cables identifiable withthe units, tens and hundreds operations ofthe computing system are-provided and are made up of nine wires each,With the individual wires of a particular cable connected to one of ninesegmented rings of the master distributor. l The wires connected to thefirst ring will be arranged to carry one impulse when this ring ofsegments is traversed by its associated brush during a singlerevolution. The `Wires connected to the second ring will be arranged tocarry two impulses when this ring of segments is traversed by itsassociated brush, the next three impulses and so forth with respect tothe other rings of the distributor. Any numberup to and including nineimpulses: may be transmitted over an individual wire.

This master transmitter is common to a plurality of operators stationsin the exchange. It will be understood that although the invention isdescribed in connection with a single rate circuit, a plurality ofcircuits may be employed by the present invention and individualoperators will be able to connect with diierent rate circuits, allassociated With the master transmitter at the exchange. Furthermore, itwill be understood that the time intervals herein referred to are chosenonly for the purpose of description and any other predetermined timeintervals could be chosen.

The individual wires of the units, tens, and

`hundreds cablesl .which are connected to the master transmitter arecapable of being connected to a circuit extending to a registering de-`vice which is provided with units, tens, and hundreds sequence switches,so that when the in` dividual wires are connected to this circuit,depending on the number of impulses received upon the individual wiresfrom the master transmitter, the registering device is stepped ofi theproper number of positions representative of the initial rate charge.The invention provides that any number up to and including 999 may beregistered upon the registering device.

By means of a counting relay system, and cam impulsing mechanism, aperiod of three minutes is allowed to elapse before a circuitrepresenting a secondary or overtime charge is connected to the circuitof the sequence switches which are thereafter operated at one minuteintervals by impulses received from the master transmitter,representative of the overtime charge. It is to be understood that it isnot necessary to use all three of the units, tens, and hundreds Wires atone time. For instance, if an initial or overtime charge was onlyeighty-live` cents, then only one of the wires of the units cables andone vof the wires of the tens cable would be connected in the circuit. j

At the conclusion of the toll call, the operator is enabled, by means ofone of the keys already referred to, to start into operation a telegraphtransmitter which is connected with the sequence switches. Dependingupon certain telegraph-code combinations set up by Athe sequenceswitches, impulses are transmitted by the transmitter to a printer whichautomatically prints the charge ofthe toll call upon a ticket. Theoperator is provided 'with a keyboard` transmitter and by means of asuitable switching arrangement may connect into the various ratecircuits to transmitadditional information to the printer forrecordation upon the" tollticket.

This invention may bemore readily understood ley-reference toA thefollowing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

' Fig. 1-.isa schematicdrawing of' the master transmitter employed bythe present invention;

Fig?. 2 is a circuit diagram forfaccomplishingcertain of theswitchingoperations performed by the present invention;- and K Fig. 3 isa circuit diagram including the sequence register switches, atransmitter,Y and a printi-ngtelegraph receiver.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a master transmitterIil which is made up of-ia lplurality of segmented rings II- and asolidrin-'g-of conductingl material I-ZJ. Associated with each-ringotsegments and the solid conducting ring Ii.` are one ofa plurality-1offrbrushes I-3 which are all electrically connected andv constantlyrotatearound the distributor.- i' Each segmented ring is Inadeup oralternate spaces or insulating material I4 and conducting material' I5.It wi-ll be understood that the width ofrv these insu-lated andconducting portions of` theA distributor will be so proportioned thatthe impulses of*k the proper duration will be generated by thetransmitter when it is placedA in operation. Connected to the conductingsegments vofthe master transmitter arefa plurality or wires leading fromcables i6, Il, andlI identifiedasthe units, tens, and hundredscama-respectively. By reference to the drawings it will be noted thatthe individual wires coming from the units cable I-6- are connee-tedtothe segmented ringsl of the distributor so that onel wire It goes tothe rst segmental ring at the right of Fig. 1 and is there connectedtof'a single segment of conducting material- The, nek-t 'wire 2li goesto. the next segmental; ring oi the-fmastertransmitter and it can beseen that this wire 283 branches into two wiresfeachcon-- nested-'te oneof the conducting segments of this particu-larring. The other wiresleading from cable Iiiin turnaie connected to the segmental rin-gs ofvthe master transmitter and are progressively arranged so that the wiresconnected to the segmental row at the extreme left as viewed in Fig. 1,branches off to connect With nine conducting segments of this ring. Thewires lead- "ing from the tens cable Il and hundreds cable I8 arearranged in a similar manner to the wires leading from the cable It.Fromthe foregoing description, therefore, it is obvious that when thebrushes I3 traverse the rings or segmental members in a singlerevolution, the segmental ring at the extreme right is capable ofgenerating one impulse, the next ring will generate two impulses, and soforth until it will be observed that the ,Segment at the extreme leftside of Fig. 1 is arranged to generate nine impulses over each of thewires coming from cables I6, II, and I8 Qi' this. particular segmentalring.

Referring to Fig. 2 there is disclosed therein a plurality of start keys24 and a plurality of stop keys 25. Each pair of keys 24, 25 isassociated with a diiierent rate circuit, but for the purpose ofexplaining the present invention only a single rate circuit will bedescribed in detail; v Y

At the commencement of a toll call, the operator depresses a key 214which controls a rate circuit which represents the charge for thatpar-4ticular toll call. Upon t-he depress-ion` of the key 24, current flowsfrom theV condenser 30', whichhas been chargedvby the battery 3-If, overthe conductor- 32, through the relay 33 which be comes energized, toground. Al lockingcircuit for relay- 33 is established as follows:` fromground through one of a plurality of restoration keys 34, over conductor35, over conductor 36, through the armature 3l and loc-king winding orrelay 33,

Over' @Gnd-UCOF 33, to battery 39. Therestoration key 34 referred to inthe pren-t description w-ill` be one associatedv with the particularYratecircuit chosen to-i-llustratethe invention. ItV should be mentionedat this time, referring again to 1, that the segmental ring. at theextreme left` portionoi Fig. 1- has` connected therewith an addi-tionalimpulsing segment 40 which, in turn,

has connected thereto a conductor 4I1. ,When

relay 33 became energized, the impulsi-ngV circuit over conductor 4I;became extended thro-ugh armature 47, now attracted by the relay 33,over* conductor 42; to the counting relays 43.

It should be pointed: out that the master-transmitter til iscontinuously operating and during cachot its revolutions is capable of'4transmitting signal impulses and also a special impulse by Whent-hebrush of the arri-'iaturesV 52,I and 53. A, locking circuit is nowAprepared from. ground, through restorationV key- 34, over conductors 35yand` 36, throughconductor' 54 over the armature 52 of'` relay 53, thencethroughl the winding ofl relay 4S, through the windingv oi" relay 50;and over the conductorri'rt to battery 39. This last mentioned circuitis eiec tive, only when the brush of the master transmit'- ter I-IJ`leaves segment 4,0- and" accordingly key 34- must be depressed longenough to permit thisA action. The impulsing circuit is carrying groundthrough the solid conducting ring l2, through the brushes I3, throughthe segment Ml, and-l over the Aconductor 4I, as far as,I but notthrough-ther winding 45, vbecause at this time winding 46iis alsoreceiving a ground potential through the 'restoration key 34v and overthe conductor 35 as described. Therefore, as soon as the brush leavesthe segment 40, current can now flow through the relays 46 and 50` ashas been described. When armature 53 was attracted by relay 50, anenergizing circuit Was established for the relay 60, as follows: fromground, through restoration key 34, over conductor 35, over conductor36, through armatureV 6I, of relay 10, over conductor 62, througharmature 53, over conductor 63, through the winding of relay 60overconductor 5| to battery 39.

The energization of relay 60 allows it to pull up tsarmatures 64, 65,and 66. This connects conductors |6a, I1a, and I8a coming from each ofthe cables` I6, I1, and I8, to conductors 61, 68, and 69, the wiresconnected being the particular ones representative of the initial ratecharge for which this particular circuit was designed. This completes acircuit over the conductors 61, 68, and 69. The conductors 61, 68, and69 lead to sequence register switches |60, |6I, and |62 (Fig. 3) tobelater described in more detail.

After the sequence switches have been stepped up to their respectivepositions representative of the initial rate charge upon receivingimpulses from the master transmitter l0, segment 40 of the transmitteris again engaged by itsrespec-` tive brush and the impulsing circuit isnow ex tended through armature 45 of relay 46, over conductor 1|,through armature 12 of relay 14, through the relay 10, over conductor5|, to battery 39 thereby energizing relay `1i). After the brush leavesthe segment 40, a circuit becomes effective from ground through key 34,over conductors 35 and 36, through armature 6| of relay 10, overconductors 13, through relay 14 (which becomes energized), throughrelay10, to battery The energization of relay 10 allows it to attract itsarmature 6| breaking the circuit to relay 69 to prevent a repeatoperation of the sequence switches |60, |6|, and |62 and furtherenergization of relay 10 causes it to attract its armature l 16 toestablish a timing circuit which allows a call to be made over a threeminute period at the initial rate which has been registered by thesequence switches |60, I6I, and |62. The attraction of armature timingcircuit as follows: from battery 89, through the stepping magnet 8|,over conductor 82, through armature 16, through armature 83 of relay|82, over conductor 64, to the contact 85. The contact 85 is designed tobe closed at six second intervals bythe constantly rotating cam 86 ofthe timing mechanism indicated generally Vat 81. This completes `theground circuit and causes the periodic stepping of the sequence switches88, which comprise the four switches 89, 90, 9|, and 92.

After the sequence switch 89 has been stepped to its tenth position bythe intermittent operation of the stepping magnet 8| at` six secondintervals, a minute will have been tolled ol by the sequence switchesand the brush 93 will have reached the button contact 94 of the uppersequence switch 09. This will start into operation a set of countingrelays |00. A circuit will be established by relay as follows: fromground, through brush 93, through contact 94, over conductor |02,through armature |03, through the winding of relay |0|, to battery |04.

i When relay |0| becomes energized, it attracts its armature whichestablishes a locking cire 16 by relay 'l0 establishes the l cuit forrelay Ilmfrom ground through'restoration key 34, over conductor 35, overconductor 36, through armature |05 of relay IOI through relay |06 (whichbecomes energized), `through relay I0 I ,to battery |04. Sequence switch9| is a zeroizing. switch which is used torapidly advance all of thesequence switches 68 through its connecftionswith the stepping relay V8|to return the brushes of the Vsequence switches to the-ir respectivezero positions. In connection withthis operation it should be noted thatsteppingrelay 8| is provided with a vibrating contact Bla. and that whenbrush 9 laV of zeroizing switch 9| reaches its tenth position ground isintermittently supplied to the relay 8| until the switches return tozero; The sequence switch 89 continues to operate for another one minuteperiod when brush 93 again closes contact 9.4 and extends 4the circuitthrough armature |03 of relay |06, then through armature` |09 of relayII5, through `the winding 'of relay |10, to the battery |I|. Relay I|0becomes energized and attracts its armature ||2 and II3. A lockingcircuit is now prepared from ground, through key 34, over conductor 35,over conductor 36through armature |I2 of relay |I0, through the relay II5, which becomes energized when brush 93 leaves button contact 94,through relay I I0, to battery `When relay ||5 is energized, it breaksthe circuit extending through its armature |09 and attracts its armatureII6, so that a circuit is prepared to a second set of counting relays|20. I

After `the sequence switches 88 have been stepped oir for another orthird one minute in-l terval, brush I|9 of sequence vswitch 90 is ad#`vanoed to a position to close contact II1 which prepares a circuit fromthe impulsing segment 40 of the master transmitter, over conductors(Hand, |2 through the brush I I9, through contact ||1, over conductor|22, through armature ||3, through armature |16, over conductor |23,through armature |24 of relay |25, through relay |26, to battery |21.Thus, when the brush reaches the segment 40 of the master transmitter,relay |26 will be energized. When relay |26 is energized, it attractsits armatures |30 and |3I. Relay |32 then becomes energized over thefollowing circuit: from ground, through armature |33 of relay |5l, overconductor |34, through armature |3|, through the winding of relay |32,to battery |35. When relay |32 becomes energized, it attracts itsarmatures IIS, |28, and |29, and this connects three conductors |36,|31, and |38 to the conductors 61, 68, and 69. The conductors |36, |31,and |38 come from the cables I6, I1, and I8 and represent the rate,which is connected to the master transmitter I0, which is to be chargedfor the overtime period after the initial rate period has elapsed. Theconductors |36, |31, and |38, therefore, will now be connected incircuit with the sequence switches |60, |6|, and |62 shown in Fig. 3 andwill advance the sequence switches in accordance with the impulsestransmitted over the individual wires |36, |31, and |38 from the mastertransmitter I0.

It must be kept in mind at this time that when the brush II9 of sequenceswitch 90 closed the contact I I1 and permitted the next impulsingsignal from the segment 40 of the master transmitter to energize relay|26, brush |45 of sequence switch 92 is in a position to close contact|46 so that a circuit is established from ground, through brush |45,`through contact |46,-over conductor |41, through armature |30, throughrelays |25 and |26, to battery |21, The master transmitter rotatesseveral times during the six second interval that the sequenceswitchesf88 are stepped to a new position and the sequence switchbrushes therefore remain stationary for several seconds.V This enablesthe next generated impulse transmitted from segment 40 of the mastertransmitter to be extended over the conductor 4|., over the conductor|2|, through the armature |24 of relay |25, through the armature |50 ofrelay |54, to relay |5I, to battery |52. Relay |5| thus becomesenergized and attracts its armatures |53 and 33. A circuit now extendsvfrom ground through brush |45 of sequenceV switch 92., through contact|46, over conductor |41, through armature |53 of relay |5I, throughrelay |54, through relay |5|, to battery |52. The attraction of armature|33 by the relay |5| causes the circuit to be broken to the relay |32angl. prevents the repetition of a rate charge upon the sequenceswitches. The circuit through relay |32 is broken as the armature |33 ofrelay |5| pulls away from its grounded contact as relay |5| becomesenergized.

When brush |45 of sequence switch 92 moves oil of contact |46, theground circuit to the counting relays is broken and they becomede-energized and ready for another operation. At one minute intervalsthereafter, if the toll call is of such duration, the brush ||9 will bestepped into positionv to close contact ||1 which will cause arepetition of the operation which controls the overtime charge, and thesequence switches of the register mechanism will be adyancedaccordingly.

Referringto Fig. 3, there is disclosed therein three sets of sequenceregister switches |60, |6I, and |62'. Sequence switch |62 records theunits in the `computing operation, sequence switch |6| records the tensin the computing operation, and sequence switch |60 records the hundredsin the computing operation. When impulses are transmitted over theconductors 61, 68, Yand 69, the stepping magnets |63, |64, and |65 areenergized, the circuit being from the ground of `the master transmitter||l over the conductors 61, 68, .and 69, and through the windings ofmagnets |63, |E4 and |65 to the respective batteries of the steppingrelays. The stepping magnets are provided with vibrating contacts |66,|61, and |68 so that as an impulse is received over the step pingrelays, the sequence switches are steppedA only one position at a time.

Thesequence switches function as a translator and are arranged to carrytelegraph signals employing the well-known Baudet start-stop codesystem. It will be understood, of course, that other telegraph codesystems may Vbe i utilized without departing from the scope of theinvention. Leading to the hundreds sequence switches |60 is a cable |10.Associated with the tens sequence switches |6| is a cable |'1| andsimilarly thereis provided a cable |12 which is associated with theunits sequence switches |62. To illustrate this portion of theinvention, the hundreds sequence switches |60 will be considered. Itwill be observed that bus bars |13 have connected thereto1 wires |14extending from the cable |10. The other end of'wires |14 are connectedto certain segments of a master transmitter H15. The different contactsof the sequence switches |60 are so connected to the bus bars |13 thatas the brushes |15 are stepped to each of their positions, the propercode is set up which is capable of being transmitted over thetransmitter H15.- For instance, in the Baudot code, the numeral 6 iscomposed of a marking, a spacing, a marking, a spacing, and a r'narkinrsignal. Therefore, when the upper sequence switch of, the sequenceswitches |60 occupies. its sixthposition, the contact at this point willbe connected. to the bus bar |13 and thus it will be. possible to. senda marking impulse over a. wire |14. InV the next lower sequence switchrwhen its brush |15 is in the number six position, the contact at thisposition is not connected to the bus: bar |13, and therefore thisparticular switch is Varranged to send a spacing impulse over a wire|14v when its brush is in its sixth position. The next lower sequenceswitch is adapted to send a marking impulse over a wire |14 when itsbrush is in-its sixth position, the next lower sequenceY switch isadapted to send a spacing impulse over a wire |14 when its brushoccupies the sixth position. and the lowermost sequence switch in the.hundreds unit is arranged so that a marking impulsev will be sent whenits brush occupies its number six position. The units, tens, andhundreds sequence register switches, therefore, are arranged to set updifferent telegraph code combinations in accordance with the well-knownvBaudot system. The sequence switches. receive batteryover conductor 95from battery 96.

Referring to the transmitter H15., this trans,-v

mitter will be arranged, as hereinafter described, so that the i'lrstset o-f signals transmitted will be the figures shift code combinationwhich will operate to shift the case of the printer |16 to itsY guresposition. The next set of signals to be, transmitted will be thehundreds signal .set ,up on the wires associated with cable |16.. Thenext codecombination will be the period code .com-

bination. The next code combination to be transmitted thereafter will bethe tens.`combination carried by the wires connected with the cable 1|.The next code combination to be trans.-v rnitted immediately thereafterwill be `the Vunits combination carried by the wires associated with thecable |12. Finally, the last code combination to be transmitted will bethe letters Shift. code combination which will act to shift the printer|16 back to its letters case position.

The transmitter |15 is. set in operation when the operator depresses thestop key 25 shown in Fig. 2. The depression of key 25 establishes a`circuit from the charged condenser individual thereto, over conductor|8|, through relay |62, to ground. The energization o-f relay |82 causesit to attract its armatures 83, |63, and |64. When relay |62 becomesenergized, its attraction of armature 93 breaks the time impulsingcircuit to' the contacts 65. A locking circuit for relay |162 isestablished as follows:l from battery 3.9, over conf` ductor 5|, throughrelay |82, through armature |83, over co-nductor 49, over conductor 36,then over conductor 35, to kesZ 34, to ground. .The energization ofrelay |82 also establishes Ythe following circuit: from ground, througharmature |84, over conductor |85, to the start magnet |86, to battery.The o-peration of the start magnet |86 allows the transmitter |16 tobegin transmission. Ihe start magnetl |36 acts in: a wellknown manner toaccomplish the start of transmission from the transmitter H15.

The carry-over circuit for the. sequence register Vswitches will now beexplained. When the brush |90 reaches its zero position, a circuit willbe made from battery, through contact |:9|, Yover conductor |92, throughrelay |93, which becomes energized and attracts its armature |94, toground. This initiates a circuit from condenser A |95,

through armature |94, over conductor |96, through the winding of relay|91, te ground. This permits a circuit to be made from ground, over thearmature |98 of relay 200, over conductor 20|, through armature 202which is now at tracted by the relay `|91, through the second winding ofrelay |91, over conductor 293, through the vibrating contact |61 ofstepping magnet |64. This will allow the tens sequence switches |6| tobe stepped up one position. In a similar manner, the sequence switches|60 are stepped up another position when a number is carried over fromthe tens switches to the hundreds switches, and this operation will nowbe explained. When the brush 205 reaches zero position in the tenssequence switches I6I, a circuit is established from battery, throughcontact 206, over conn ductor 291, through relay 208, to gro-und. Theenergization of relay 203 .allows it to pull up its armature 209 and acircuit is made from the condenser 2| 0 over the conductor 2|\I,'to therelay 2|2, to ground. The energization of relay 2|2 allows it to attractits armature 2 I3, and a circuit is established as follows: from ground,over armature |98 of relay 299, over conductor 20| through armature 2|3of relay 2|2, through the second winding of relay 2|2, over theconductor 2|4,

through the vibrating contacts |68 of the step-` ping magnet |63 tobattery. This permits the hundreds sequence switches to be steppedforward one position.

When one of the Wipers of the brushes |282 of the transmitter |Itraverses the segment 2I8, circuits are established for returning thesequence switches to their respective zero positions. A circuitisestablished from ground, through the brush |282, over the segment 2|8,over conductor 2 I 9, through relay 209, to battery. The energization ofrelay 200 allows a locking circuit to be made from battery, through thewinding of relay 200, over armature 22| (now attracted), over conductor222, then branching off through the armatures 223, 224, and 225, o frelays 226, 221, and 228, respectively to the grounds. These relayshaving become energized at this time due to the fact that when relay 290attracts its armatures 229, 230, and 23|, one circuit is made fromground, through armature 233 of relay |93, over conductor 234, througharmature 23|, over the conductor 235, through the winding of relay 226,over the conductor 236, to battery.' A similar circuit is established.`from ground, over armature 238, over conductor 239, through the armature230 of relay 200, over conductor 249, through the winding of relay 221,over the `conductor 236, to battery. Another similar circuit isestablished from ground, over armature 242 of relay 243, over conductor244, through the armature 229 of relay 200, over the conductor 245,through the winding ofrelay 228, over the conductor 236, to battery. f

The relays 226, 221, and 228 are therefore at thistime energized andcircuits to the stepping magnets |63, |64, and |65 are established asfollows: the circuit for stepping magnet |65 of the sequence switches|62 is traced from battery through the winding ofV relay |65 through thevibrating contact |68, over the conductor 246, through armature 241 ofrelay 226, over conductor 248, to ground. The brush of sequence switches|62 is stepped until it reaches the zero position wherein contact |9| isclosed and a circuit is `established as follows: from battery throughbrush |90, through contact I9 I, over conductor |92,.through relay |93,to ground. Relay stepping magnet |93 is thus energized and attractsitsarmature 233 which breaks the ground connection for the relay 226, whosearmature 241 then moves away and breaks the circuit to the steppingrelay which, therefore, remains at its zero position. Similarly, thesequence switches I 6| are returned to their zero position as follows:as previously'ex-V plained, the stepping magnet |64 is energized andwhen the brush 205 is stepped into its zero positiona vcircuit is madeas follows: from battery to brush 205, through contact 206, overconductor 201, through the winding of relay 208, to ground.Theenergization of relay 208 allows it to attract its armature 238 whichbreaks the'ground circuit for relay 221 whose armature 250 thenpullsaway and breaks the circuit to the stepping magnet |64. In a.similar manner, when brush 256 Iof the sequence switches |69 reaches itszero posif tion, it makes a circuit from condenser 2,51 over brush 256thro-ugh contact 258, over conductor 259, through relay `243 which thenbecomes energized and attracts its armature 242 breaking'ithe ground.circuit to the relay 228 whosearmature 269 then falls away and breaksthe circuit tothe |63. The sequence switches, therefore, are allreturned to their original Apositions ready to perform anotheroperation. s

When the relays 226, 221, and 228 became'deenergized their respectivearmatures 223, 224, and 225"were released and theloeking circuit for therelay 200 was broken. i It should be pointed out at this time that whenrelay 299 was energized during the zeroizing operation, armature |98 ofrelay 200 was attracted and, therefore, there was no danger of any carryover operations being performed during the zeroizing operation whenrelays |93 and 208'became energized inasmuchl as the circuit for thezeroizing operation ordinarily extends through the armature |98 toground,

Referring now to the` master transmitter |I15 disclosed in Fig.` 3,the-operation of this transmitter will now be described in more detail.VThe transmitter has four rings, two of which are segmented asshown.Connected to'thelupper segments of the ringat Athe left of the mastertransmitter are a pluralityfof wires 210 which are all connected to' amain conductor 21|. The wires 219 are so connected to thetransrnitterthat they represent the code combination of the figuresV shift operationby means of which the printer- |16 willybe shifted to its figuresposition. Next to be connected to the segments of the mastertransmitter-are the lead wires |14 which are connected to cable |10 andrepresent the hundreds ligure code combination which has been set up bythe sequence switches |69. The next group of wires to be connected tothe segments of the master transmitter are the wires 212 which areconnected to the main conductor 21| and represent,

the period code combination which will `be transmitted to the printer|16. The next group of wires to be connected to the segments of themaster transmitter are the wires 213v which come fromv The next group ofwires to be conv11 The wires 215 are in turn connected. tothe mainconductor 21|.

The main conductor 21| is connected with the conductor 216 and leads tothe plug switch 211 (Fig. 2). Also associated-with the plug switch 211is a conductor 218 which is connected to battery 96 (Fig. 3). When theoperator desires t0 transmit information to the printer |16 in order toadd any necessary information to the toll ticket a plug is inserted inthe plug switching contacts 211 and a circuit is established to theprinter |16 as follows: from battery 96, over the conductor 218, throughthe plug switching contact 211, through the` keyboard transmitter 219,over the conductor 216, over the main conductor 21|, through the branchconductor 28| shown at the top of the transmitter segments. Whentransmission is taking vplace from the transmitter ||15, battery for thefigures shift, the period and the unshift combination is furnished asfollows: from battery-96 over conductor 218, through plug switch 211,over conductor 216 to the main conductor 21|, and thence from thevarious branches of the segments of the transmitter, through theprinterl |16 to ground. The circuit for the units, tens,A and hundredscables extends from battery 96 over conductor 95 through the brushes ofthe sequence switches (provided theV signal is marking), through cables|10, |111, and |12 through the segments of the master transmitter to theprinter |16 and then to ground.

General operation tion will now be outlined. As has been previouslystated, for each particular rate charge an operator is provided with apair of keys 24, 25. At the beginning of the toll call, the operatordepresses a key 24 which is identifiable with the rate being charged forthe particular call. The depression of a key 24 energizes relay 33Awhich establishes a circuit tothe counting relays 43 so that when thenext impulse is transmitted over the conductor 4| as a brush I3 of themaster transmitter I traverses the segment 40, relay 60 will becomeenergized, which will connect three selected conductors |6a of the unitscable I6, |1a of the. tens cable |1 and. conductor |8a of the hundredscable I8; therefore, as vthe armatures 64, 65, Aandlili are pulled up asrelay 60 is energized, conductors |6a, |1a, and Ia will be connected incircuit with conductors 61, 6,8, and 6?, respectively. Conductors 61,68, and 69 are connected to the stepping magnets |63, |64, and |65,respectively. Thus, depending on the number of impulses which will becarried over the selected conductors |6a, |1a, and |8a when they receiveimpulses `from the master transmitter lll, the

sequence switches |65, |6|, and |62 will be accordingly stepped up topositions representative of the initial rate charge.

When the next impulse is transmitted over the conductor 4| as thebrushes of the master transmitter traverse the segment 40 during itsnext revolution, the counting relays 43 will so function that relay 10will become energized breaking the circuit to the relay 60 to prevent arepeat operation of the sequence switches |60, |6|, and |62, and at thesame time closing its armature 1.6 so that the timing circuit willbecome effective to allowa three minute interval to elapse before asecond or overtime rate circuit is selected.

When the timing circuit is made effective, the

12 Y cam 86 of the timing mechanism 81 operates at six second intervalsto energize the stepping mab net 8| of the sequence switches v8S. Whenten such impulses are transmitted, a minute interval will have expiredand the brush 93 of the upper sequence switch 89 will be in a positionto close contact 94 and thereby place a set of counting relays |00 intooperation. The sequence switches 88 will then toll olf another or secondone minute interval, at the expiration of which time brush 93 of theupper sequence switch 89 will again be in a position to close thecontact 84 and therefore extend the circuit of the counting relays 400"so that armature ||6 is closed by the relay H5' and armatures ||2 andI|3 are closed by the. relay |0. Sequence switches 88 will againfunction as before to toll off a third one minute interval. When thisperiod has-been tolled o, the brush I9 of the sequence switch 96 will bein a position to closethe contact Il?, which will enable the nextgenerated impulse transmitted from segment 40 of the master transmitter|0 over conductors 4| and |2| to energize a set of counting relays |20which enables the relay |32 to become energized and attract itsarmatures IIS, |28, and |29. This connects conductor |36 of the unitcable, conductor |31 of the tens cable and conductor |38 of the hundredscable to the f conductors 61, 68, and 68, respectively. Conduc-v tors|36, |31, and |33 are identified with the overtime rate charge.Conductors 61, 68, and 69, are connected to the stepping magnets |63,

|64, and of the sequence switches |60, .|6|,

and |62, respectively. Therefore, as the brushes of the mastertransmitter pass over the segmental rings, the impulses carried over these-v lected conductors |36, |31, and |38 will operate to energize thestepping magnetsv |63, |64, and

|165, so that the sequence switches associated' therewith are stepped upto positions representae tive of an overtime charge. This cycle ofoperations for the overtime rate will be repeated at one minuteintervals thereafter if the toll call is of such duration. ItV must beborne in mind, .that

previously the initial rate charge was stepped up by the sequenceswitches so that, therefore, as

the sequence switches are stepped up thereafter during the overtime rateperiod, an aggregate or cumulative registration of both the initial rateand the overtime rate charges is automatically computed by the sequenceregistering switches.`

As hereinbefore explained in detail, the sequence switches |60, |6I, and|62 are arranged in combinations in conformity with thewellknown Baudotcode and are associated with the transmitter ||15 in such a manner thatwhen the transmitter ||15 is placed into operation,

the aggregate or total charge registered by the'f As the brushes 282 ofthe transmitter ||15 trav erse the segments, rst, a figures shiftcombination is sent to the printer |16, next, the hundreds codecombination set up by the sequence switches |60 -is sent. 'I'he next setof impulses to be transmitted by means of the wires 212 willrepresentthe period code combination. The next set of impulsesconstitute the tens code combination,

13 which has been set up by the registering switches IBI through thewires 213. The next set of impulses to be transmitted to the printer |16will be the units code combination which has been set up by the sequenceswitches |62 which are connected by means of the conductors 214 to thetransmitter |115. The last set of code combinations to be sent to theprinter |16is the letters unshift code combination which is set up bythe conductors 215 which are connected to the segments of thetransmitter H15. After the transmitter H15 makes a single revolutionsegment 2I8 is traversed by the brushes |282, the

registering switches are returned to their zero positions as described,and the rotation of the transmitter is stopped.

At the end of a tolling operation, the operator may break the lockingcircuits for counting relays 43 and |00 by depressing the restorationkey 34.

When the operator desires to send any additional information to theprinter |16, a plug is inserted in the plug switching contacts 211 and acircuit is established from keyboard transmitter 219 to the printer |16over conductors 216 and 218.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications might bemade in the present invention without departing from its spirit andscope.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toll metering system, a master transmitter including means tocontinuously generate impulses,` selectable circuits connected with saidtransmitter each conducting a predetermined number of impulses from saidtransmitter corresponding to a selected digit, a plurality of sequenceregistering switches, stepping magnets for operating said switches, andrate circuit selectingV means for connecting selected circuits to saidstepping magnets to energize said magnets in accordance with the numberof impulses transmitted over said selected circuits to thereby advancesaid sequence switches to positions representative of the rate circuitselected.

2. In a toll metering system, a transmitter including means to generateimpulses, circuits connected with said transmitter capable ofindividually conducting a predetermined number of impulses andcollectively a varying number of impulses, a registering device, ratecircuit selecting means for initially connecting selected rate circuitsto said registering device to operate said registering device inaccordance with the number of impulses transmitted over the ratecircuits selected, means for disconnecting said initially selected ratecircuits and means to connect second rate circuits to said registeringdevice to operate said registering device in accordance with the numberof impulses transmitted over the second rate circuits selected, toenable said registering device to thereby compile an aggregate registryof both selecting operations.

, 3. In a toll metering system, a transmitter for continuouslygenerating impulses, a rate charge circuit selectively connected to saidtransmitter capable of conducting a predetermined number of impulsesfrom said transmitter, a registering device, means to connect said ratecharge circuit to said registering device to operate said registeringdevice in accordance with the number of impulses carried by saidratecharge circuit. l i

. 4.In a toll metering system, a transmitter-for generating impulses, aninitial rate charge circuit connected to said transmitter conducting apredetermined number of impulses from said transmitter, a second ratecharge circuit connected to said transmitter conducting a predeterminednumber of impulses from said transmitter, a registering device, means toconnect said initial rate charge circuit to said registering device tooperate said registering device in accordance with the number ofimpulses trans` mitted over said initial rate circuit, means todisconnect said initial rate circuit from said registering device, andmeans operable after a predetermined period of time haselapsed toconnect said second rate charge circuit to said transmitter at timedintervals to operate said registering device in accordance with thenumber of impulses transmitted over said second rate circuit to therebyenable said registering device to compile an aggregate registry of bothregistering operations.

5. In a toll metering system, a transmitter including means to generateimpulses, an initial rate circuit selectably connected with saidtransmitter for conducting a predetermined number of impulses from saidtransmitter, a second rate circuit connected with said transmitterconducting a predetermined number of impulses from said transmitter, a,registering device, means to connect said initial rate circuit to saidregistering device, to operate said registering device in accordancewith the number of impulses transmitted over said initial circuit, meansto disconnect said initial circuit, and means operable after apredetermined time interval for connecting said second rate circuit tosaid registering device to operate said registering device in accordancewith the number of impulses transmitted over said second circuit.

6. In a toll metering system, a transmitter including means to generateimpulses, an initial rate circuit connected with said transmittercarrying a predetermined number of impulses from said transmitter, anovertime rate circuit carrying a predetermined number of impulses fromsaid transmitter, a registering device, means to connect said initialrate circuit to said registering device to operate said registeringdevice in accordance with the number of impulses transmitted over saidinitial circuit, means for disconnecting said initial circuit, and meansoperable after a predetermined time intervail for periodicallyconnecting said overtime rate circuits to said registering device tooperate said registering device in accordance with the number ofimpulses transmitted over said initial circuit to thereby enable saidregistering device to compile an aggregate registration of the initialand overtime rate operations.

'1. In a toll metering system, a transmitter including means tocontinuously generate impulses, circuits connected with said transmitterconducting impulses therefrom, a registering device, and circuitselecting means for connecting selected rate circuits to saidregistering device to operate said registering device according to therate circuits selected. Y

8. In a toll metering system, a transmitter including means tocontinuously generate impulses,

a rate circuit selectively connected with said transmitter forconducting impulses from said transmitter, a registering device, andmeans for connecting said rate circuit to said registering device tooperatesaid registering device in ac- 15 cordance with the'impulsestransmitted over said rate circuit.

9. In a toll metering system, a transmitter including means tocontinuously generate impulses, a rate circuit connected with saidtransmitter conducting impulses characteristic of a selected digit, aregistering device, means for connecting said rate circuit tosaidregistering device to operate said registering device in accordanceWith the impulses transmitted over said rate circuit, translating meansassociated with said registering device or translatinga registrationinto a telegraph code combination, a telegraph transmitter connected tosaid translating means, a telegraph printerconnected with said telegraphtransmitter, and'meansto operate said telegraph transmitterto therebyenable the recordation of information by said telegraph printer inaccordance with the telegraph code combination established by Isa-idtranslating means.

10. In a toll metering system, including impulse generating means, aninitial rate circuit connected with said impulse generating means forconducting impulses, a second rate circuit connected with said impulsegenerating means for conductingimpulses, a registering meter, means toconnect said initial rate circuit to said registering meter inaccordance with the impulses transmitted over said initial rate circuit,means for disconnectingsaid initial rate circuit, and means operableafter a predetermined time interval `to connect said second rate circuitto said registering meter to operate said registering meter inaccordance with the impulses transmitted over said second circuit tothereby enable said meter to register `an aggregate registration of theinitial and second rate operation.

ll. In a toll metering system, including impulse generating means, aninitial rate circuit connected with said impulse generating means forcarrying predetermined signal impulses, a second rate circuit connectedwith said impulse generating means for carrying predetermined signalimpulses, a registering meter, means to connect said initial ratecircuit to said'registering vmeter to operate said registering meter inaccordance with the impulses transmitted over said initial rate circuit,means for disconnecting said initial circuit, and means operable after apredetermined time interval to connect said second rate circuitperiodically 'to said registering meter to operate said registeringmeter in accordance with the impulses transmitted over said secondcircuit to thereby enable said meter to register an registration of theinitial and second rate operation.

12. In a toll metering system, including iinpulse generating means, aninitial rate circuit connected with said impulse generating means forconveying impulses therefrom, a second rate circuit connected with saidimpulse generating means for conveying impulses from said impulsegenerating means, a registering meter, means to connect said initialrate circuit to said registering meterV to operate said registeringmeter in accordance with the impulses transmitted over said initial ratecircuit, means for disconnecting said initial circuit, means operableafter a predetermined time interval to connect said second rate circuitto said registering meter to operate said registering meter inaccordance with the `impulses transmitted over said second circuit tothereby enable said meter to register an aggregate registration of theinitial and second rate operations, translating means' associated withsaid registering device for translating an aggrjs` gate registrationinto a telegraph code combination, a telegraph transmitter connected tosaid translating meansto transmit signals in accordance with the codecombinations translated, a telegraph printer connected with saidtelegraph transmitter, and means to operate saidv telegraph transmitterto thereby operate said telegraph printer in accordance with the codecombinations translated.

13. In a toll metering system, a transmitterv f pulses transmitted oversaid second rate circuit to thereby enable said registering device tocompile an aggregate registration of both registering operations. l

14. In combination, a telegraph transmitter, a signal responsive means,said transmitter comprising a plurality of sets of continuouslyoperating sets of number transmitting means', and means to selectpredetermined number transmitting means of each set to operate saidsignal responsive means according to the number transmitting meansselected.

15. In a Itoll metering system, an impulse transmitter, a register,selectable rate circuits for connecting said transmitter with saidregister, means for selecting a desired rate circuit whereupon animpulse code combination exclusive to the rate circuit selected istransmitted from said transmitter to said register to cause to be set upin said register a charge equal to an initial rate, means forregistering an overtime rate whereby said overtime rate is additive tothe said initial rate to position the register to record a total tollcharge, translating means including a telegraph transmitter associatedwith said register, a printer, and means for connecting said translatingmeans and said printer to record the total charge registered.

16. In combination, manually operable means for selectively registeringan linitial toll charge, automatic means initiated by said manuallyoperable means for additively registering an overtime toll chargewhereby a total toll charge is registered, and translating meansincluding a code transmitter for translating the registered total ytollcharge into recorded intelligence.

17. In a toll meteringsystem, a master transmitter including means tocontinuously generate predetermined groups of impulses, circuitsconnected with said transmitter over which impulses from saidtransmitter are transmitted, a registering device, and means forselecting certain'of said circuits and for connecting said selectedcircuits to said registering device whereby said reigistering devicewill be operated in accordanceA with the number oi impulses generated bysaid transmitter and transmitted over the` selected circuits. Y

18. In a toll metering system, means to generate impulses, a register,means to cause some of said impulses to be transmitted to said register18 to transmit additional information to said printer when said rsttransmitter is in its arrested position.

19. In a toll metering system, a circuit, means to indenitely transmit acontinuous succession of identical signals on said circuit, a register,and.

means to connect said register to said circuit for the duration of oneonly of said signals whereby said register is operated during this pe-10 rOd.

LOUIS M. POTIS.

